Calathea plant named ‘HGV04’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Calathea  plant named ‘HGV04’ that is characterized by leaves that have a purple under side, a green upper side with yellow-green areas along the main and secondary veins and leaves with wavy margins.

Botanical classification: Calathea warscewiczii.

Variety denomination: ‘HGV04’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calatheaplant botanically known as Calathea warscewiczii and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘HGV04’.

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant by theinventor in a cultivated area of Maasland, The Netherlands in 2002.‘HGV04’ was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plant mutationwithin a population of unnamed Calathea warscewiczii plants.

Asexual reproduction by division of the new cultivar ‘HGV04’ was firstperformed in 2002 in Maasland, The Netherlands. Since that time, undercareful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newCalathea cultivar ‘HGV04’.

-   -   1. Calathea ‘HGV04’ exhibits leaves that have a purple under        side.    -   2. Calathea ‘HGV04’ exhibits leaves that have a green upper side        with yellow-green areas along the main and secondary veins.    -   3. Calathea ‘HGV04’ exhibits leaves with wavy margins.

The closest comparison cultivars are plants of the species Calatheawarscewiczii. The new cultivar ‘HGV04’ is distinguishable from plants ofthe species by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘HGV04’ has leaves with lighter yellow-green areas around the        main and secondary veins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofCalathea ‘HGV04’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a4 month old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Calathea cultivarnamed ‘HGV04’. Data was collected in Maasland, The Netherlands from 4month old greenhouse grown plants in 13 cm containers. The time of yearwas Winter and the average temperature was 20 degrees Centigrade duringthe day and 18 degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatmentsor growth retardants were used. Color determinations are in accordancewith The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘HGV04’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Calathea warscewiczii ‘HGV04’.-   Use: Ornamental.-   Parentage: ‘HGV04’ is a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of    an unknown Calathea warscewiczii cultivar.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Growth habit: Moderately branching from base.-   Plant shape: Broad inverted triangle.-   Suitable container size: 13 cm diameter container.-   Height: Average 23.5 cm in height.-   Width: Average 37.5 cm in width.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 10.-   Lower temperature tolerance: 12 degree Celsius.-   High temperature tolerance: 37 degrees Celsius.-   Propagation: Division.-   Number of divisions or clumps per year: Average 1.-   Time to produce a young plant: Approximately 30 days in the Summer    and 45 days in the Winter.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem: No stems, Leaves grow directly from base, Average 2 clumps.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Both surfaces slightly leathery.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate to broad elliptic.        -   Leaf apex.—Short apiculate.        -   Leaf base.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf length.—Average 18.3 cm in length.        -   Leaf width.—9.9 cm in width.        -   Quantity of leaves per clump.—Average 5 leaves per clump.        -   Pubescence.—Underside covered with dense hairs, 0.1 mm in            length.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire, wavy, average 16 waves per leaf.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—139A with margins 143A and            133A and narrow areas along main and secondary veins N144C.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—N77C.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—139A and narrow areas            along main and secondary veins N144A and N144D.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—N77A.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—197A.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—146B.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—Average 14.3 cm in length including            geniculum, 5 mm in diameter below geniculum to 6 mm in            diameter above clump.        -   Petiole aspect.—Round.        -   Petiole surface.—Covered with short hairs, length 0.5 mm,            color 156A.        -   Petiole color.—137A, lighter towards the base 143A and 143B.        -   Geniculum dimensions.—Average 1.4 cm in length and 4 mm in            diameter.        -   Geniculum color.—146A and 146B.        -   Wing dimensions.—Average 10.4 cm in length and 6 mm in            diameter.        -   Wing color.—146B and 146C.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Calathea have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Calathea plant named ‘HGV04’ asdescribed and illustrated.